Sister duo and former Design Indaba Emerging Creatives, Viveka and Rucita Vassen of Ananta Design Studio, will participate in the exhibition UPCYCLE: The Future of Work Reimagined from 19 to 20 April 2024 at Makers Landing at the V&A Waterfront.
Dedicated to showcasing how design has the potential to embrace circularity to shape more conscious workspaces, UPCYCLE will see a select group of artists, designers and architects breathe new life into discarded office equipment and furniture pieces. Presented by global property development company JLL and its subsidiary, interior design firm Tétris Design and Build, UPCYCLE aims to encourage human creativity to tackle the challenges of the working world in inventive ways.
Participants include the Vassen sisters, Congolese artist Patrick Bongoy, Nisha and Justus Van der Hoven of Hoven Design, Laurie Wiid of Wiid Design, Amaury Watine, who is the Creativity and Innovation Director Tétris EMEA, Adrian Davidson, Design Director Tétris EMEA, as well as two Senior Interior Designers from Tétris South Africa, Helen Wentzel and Tshepiso Lesufi.
The Vassens’ artwork is a chandelier of multiple components. Transforming a singular old office dustbin, it is a playful display of sustainability and circular design created in collaboration with four local artisans: Re.Bag.Re.Use, Monkeybiz, Cape Town-based seamstress Virginia Mukanda, and Seatree Emporium.
Speaking of their design, Viveka Vassen says: ‘The installation invites you to join us in imagining the future of the workspace as we see it: playful nature-immersed spaces…magical, sensory spaces that connect us to nature, ignite creativity and spark joy and curiosity. By creating an engaging and stimulating environment with the freedom to play, explore and experiment, we open a world of possibilities.’
One of the elements forming part of Ananta’s chandelier will be a forest of ‘kelp fronds’ which Re.Bag.Re.Use will crochet using old audio cassette tapes. Each frond will be stuffed with soft plastic waste and decorated with beautifully designed beading and felt work, representing different elements of reconnecting with nature and finding inner balance.
The exhibition will be open to the public at Makers Landing at V&A Waterfront on 19 and 20 April 2024. On Friday 19 April, design students will be welcomed for a special student-focused day, and on Saturday 20 April there will be a free curated walkabout with the artists and designers.
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